Issues and outcomes in integrated treatment programs for dual disorders

In an integrated, dual disorder treatment program delivered at two sites, t he authors address numerous barriers to delivering services to dually diagn osed consumers and employ a set of multidimensional indicators to assess ou tcome. Consumers who received services through the well-implemented, integr ated services program for 12 months were functioning better in the communit y. There was a cost shifting from mental health to drug and alcohol service s, as well as a one-third increase in the total costs of care by the end of the first year of treatment. Program implementation issues are described a nd the clinical management implications for more effectively serving dually diagnosed consumers through integrated treatment programs are discussed.